Chronological Bible Study – July 28
What I Noticed Today (2 Kings 19; Psalms 46, 80, 135)
2 Kings 19
In verses 1-7, Hezekiah seeks counsel from Isaiah:
- When Hezekiah received the message from Rabshakeh, Hezekiah tore his clothes and went into the temple to pray.
- Isaiah, son of Amoz, reassured the king saying that God would protect them and that Rabshakeh would return home where he would be killed.
In verses 8-13, Sennacherib issues a final threat to Hezekiah:
- Sennacherib said no other nations’ gods had protected them from the Assyrians, and no one would come to rescue the people of Judah.
In verses 14-19, when Hezekiah received the letter from Sennacherib he went to the temple of the Lord:
- Hezekiah returned to the house of the Lord weeping and praying to God.
In verses 20-34, the Lord answers Hezekiah’s prayer:
- God heard Hezekiah’s prayer, and through Isaiah again reassured Hezekiah that God would protect the remnant in Jerusalem.
In verses 35-37, that night, an angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 Assyrians. The Assyrians left Judah and returned to Nineveh.
- Years later (681 B.C.) while Sennacherib was worshipping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adram-melech and Sharezer killed him and escaped to Ararat. Then Sennacherib’s son Esar-haddon became king in his place.
Note: Ararat is about 300 miles north of Nineveh.
Psalm 46
Psalm 46 magnifies God as the believer’s refuge and strength at all times.
Verses 1-3, declares God is our refuge and strength in times of trouble. Believers need not be afraid, no matter what trouble comes their way.
In verses 4-7, the psalmist declares that the holy habitation of God in Jerusalem surrounded the city like a fortress.
In verses 8-11, the psalmist exhorts believers to see the works of God and to trust in God and His power.
Psalm 80
Psalm 80 is a lament asking God to forgive His people, to no longer be angry with them, and to restore the people.
In verses 1-3, Asaph refers to the Lord as Israel’s shepherd asking that the Lord would restore His people.
In verses 4-7, Asaph’s lament continues asking how long God would continue to discipline His people while their enemies continued to mock them.
In verses 8-14, Asaph metaphorically describes Israel as a vine that God had planted but now was withering.
In verses 15-19, Asaph asked God to look at His vine, cut down and burned, and to restore His vine. Asaph closes with a promise that if God would restore them and bless them, the people would be faithful to Him.
Psalm 135
Psalm 135 is a praise song calling on the priests to praise the Lord.
In verses 1-3, the psalmist calls on the servants of the Lord (priests) to praise God because He is good.
In verses 4-18, the psalmist provides reasons for giving God the praise: God chose Israel, He is above all others gods, He is sovereign over all heaven and earth, He defeated Egypt and nations to bring the people to the Promised Land, and He endures forever.
In verses 19-21, the psalmist calls on all Israel to praise God from Zion who dwells in Jerusalem.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.